a certain
idiom
1
—used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe
She has a certain elegance about her.
The house has a certain charm.
2
formal
—used with the name of a person one does not know
In 1889, a certain Mr. Kelly made a large donation to the church.
Examples of a certain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How politically connected a certain company might be regardless of fundamentals.
—
Jacob Wolinsky, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
For a certain type of techie in the Bay Area, the most important economic upheaval of our time is the coming of ultrapowerful AI models.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
The Southern-style grounds do emulate a certain course in northeast Georgia.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Special plants can provide a certain enjoyment or hold a symbolic meaning.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jacob Wolinsky, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
For a certain type of techie in the Bay Area, the most important economic upheaval of our time is the coming of ultrapowerful AI models.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
The Southern-style grounds do emulate a certain course in northeast Georgia.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Special plants can provide a certain enjoyment or hold a symbolic meaning.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Cite this Entry
“A certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20certain. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share